What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingPCA Glyceryl Oleate
EmollientArginine
MaskingIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientBrassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantBrassica Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPinene
MaskingBenzaldehyde
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingMenthol
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCarvone
MaskingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Levulinic Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sodium Levulinate, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Lactic Acid, PCA Glyceryl Oleate, Arginine, Isoamyl Laurate, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Brassica Alcohol, Citric Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Pinene, Benzaldehyde, Geranyl Acetate, Menthol, Benzyl Salicylate, Carvone
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientPolyquaternium-16
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCI 16185
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Polyquaternium-16, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lactic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, CI 16185, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolThis ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water